The East African Legislative Assembly on Wednesday November 29th, 2023 kicked off its sitting in Rwanda’s capital Kigali.
While addressing the regional law makers in Kigali, Rwanda’s Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente said that Non Tariff Barriers continues to increase the cost of doing business in the East African Community.
“This assembly is taking place at a time when the speed of our integration has gained momentum,” said Rwanda’s Prime Minister.
Mr. Ngirente who represented Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame said that the implementation of the Single Customs Territory under the Customs Union and the free movement of people under the Common Market has been crucial in the development of the community and the intra EAC trade.
“Since the operationalization of the Customs Union 18 years ago, the results are commendable and shows a significant increase in intra EAC trade from $5.8 billion in 2018 to to $10.9 Billion in 2022 and this is a big achievement,” said the Rwanda’s Prime Minister.
The speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Joseph Ntakirutimana during his opening remarks said that the Regional Assembly is conducting its business in Kigali based on the principle of rotation, “these rotations brings the Assembly closer to the people of East Africa.”
EALA is expected to hold its sittings in Kigali until November 7th, 2023.